This August, Indigenous youth from across the Northwest Coast will embark on the NIFCS 2025 Youth Canoe Journey — a week-long expedition reconnecting communities through culture, tradition, and the shared waterways their ancestors once traveled.
From August 15 to 22, paddlers will travel by canoe from Gitga’at to Lax Kw’alaams, stopping in several coastal communities along the way. Each arrival will be greeted with warm welcomes, traditional songs, meals, and cultural exchange. Youth will spend time in Gitga’at, Gitxaała, and Maxłaxaała before ending their journey in Lax Kw’alaams on Friday, August 22.
The journey isn’t just about paddling — it’s about healing, connection, and learning. Through storytelling, ceremony, and shared experiences, youth will strengthen their ties to culture and to one another, building friendships that span Nations.
Arrivals are scheduled daily by 5 PM, with full days and evenings dedicated to celebration and exchange in select host communities.
Organizers say the journey serves as a living bridge between past and future — helping youth carry forward the strength, teachings, and spirit of their ancestors.
It’s a powerful reminder that these waters continue to unite us — and that our young people are at the heart of that journey.
Comments